Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27×56 Review by Scott Austin
Burn the Budget
I recently bit the bullet and ordered the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27×56 with the EBR-2C (MOA) reticle. Am I ever stoked!
Ever since handling one at the 2016 Shot Show in Vegas I have been planning, scrimping, saving and explaining why this will be the best scope ever.
I have owned the Vortex Viper HS LR 6-24×50 FFP with the XLR (MOA) reticle for a few years and have been thoroughly impressed. It has yet to let me down both in competition, hunting (elk, antelope & deer) and range use. See my review HERE.
You might be wondering why I decided to spend the extra cash considering the HS LR’s stellar track record at such an incredibly low price. Believe me it was a tough choice but here are a few, well, let’s just call them justifications (I’m sure you haven’t had to resort to these tactics when convincing your wife of the necessity of spending 3x more than the last scope, which you said would be the last one you’d ever need. Ok, I’m learning!):
Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27×56 Review – Clarity
I’ve had the opportunity to look through a few of my friends Gen II’s since Shot Show and it’s as good as being there. Color just pops, and having spent years dabbling in the photography arena (just a hobby – well, not according to my wife) I’ve come to appreciate prime glass. Will it make the difference between harvesting an animal in lower light/or not as compared to the HS LR? Probably not. They’re both plenty bright enough to shoot all hours of legal light here in Wyoming. But I will be able to stay later at the range (sorry for the noise Rangemaster Dan) or even count the points on an elk or deer standing in black timber come sunset. I may also score better at competitions where you have to utilize your reticle to range your target (no rangefinders or electronics allowed). Clarity and reticle design are king when it comes to competing well in this type of shoot.
Elevation
With the HS LR I have been able to utilize up to 65 MOA in my elevation turret. While this is awesome compared to many other scopes in the same category the Gen II has 113.5 MOA at its disposal. Going from a 30mm tube to a 34mm tube really does wonders. That all-elusive 1 mile shot a friend and I are working toward perfecting is not going to be as mechanically challenging as it used to be, at least with regard to the scope.
Weight
OK, I know what you’re thinking. The Gen II’s are the heaviest scopes (although very compact) in this magnification category as far as I am aware of. For most of the reviews I’ve seen this is considered a “con” – not in my book. I’m shooting a .300 Win Mag without a brake. I’m not a brake fan for numerous reasons. This gun is carried a little but shot a lot. I’m hoping the extra weight, including a Larue QD mount will reduce the recoil to the point where I can keep my target and thus my vapor trail in view under recoil.
Will these three “justifications” be worth it? I’ll keep you posted below as I put it through the paces! VORTEX RAZOR Scope Review
Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27×56 Review by Scott Austin